Category: Sports

The Georgia Bulldogs face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff game on New Year’s Day. The game will be played in downtown New Orleans and will be watched by millions of fans.

If you don’t have tickets to the game, you’ll want to watch it on TV. This article will show you how.

The Georgia Bulldogs regular schedule has been tough, but so are the Dawgs. But can the Irish pull out the win?

How To Watch The Georgia Game

• Gameday: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025
• Teams: Georgia (11-2) vs. Notre Dame (12-1)
• Game time: 8:45 pm ET
• TV: ABC/ESPN+
• Streaming: FuboTV (Free Trial)
• Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, La)

Georgia-Notre Dame History

he football history between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is relatively limited but highly significant, as it includes memorable and historic matchups. Here’s a detailed look at their encounters:

All-Time Series

• Georgia Leads the Series 3-0
  • The Bulldogs have won all three meetings against Notre Dame.

Key Matchups

1. 1981 Sugar Bowl (January 1, 1981)
   • Result: Georgia 17, Notre Dame 10
   • Significance:
     • This was the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
     • Georgia, led by freshman running back Herschel Walker, secured the victory and claimed their first national championship.
     • Walker rushed for 150 yards despite suffering a dislocated shoulder early in the game.
     • Georgia’s defense held Notre Dame scoreless in the second half.
   • Legacy: This game cemented Georgia as a powerhouse in college football.
2. 2017 Regular Season (September 9, 2017)
   • Result: Georgia 20, Notre Dame 19
   • Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
   • Significance:
     • This was the first regular-season meeting between the two teams.
     • Georgia’s freshman quarterback Jake Fromm led the Bulldogs to a narrow win.
     • Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made a crucial 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
     • Georgia’s defense sealed the victory with a sack on Notre Dame’s final drive.
     • The game marked a key moment in Georgia’s 2017 season, which ended with a trip to the national championship game.
3. 2019 Regular Season (September 21, 2019)
   • Result: Georgia 23, Notre Dame 17
   • Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia
   • Significance:
     • This game was one of the most anticipated matchups of the season, drawing a massive crowd and intense national attention.
     • Georgia’s defense and running back D’Andre Swift played key roles in the victory.
     • Notre Dame mounted a late comeback attempt but fell short when Georgia’s defense forced an incomplete pass on fourth down

Final Word

The Georgia Bulldogs, a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), tend to play a few games against smaller schools as part of their non-conference schedule. With the expansion of the conference, a tougher schedule means they can lose every week they play. But Kirby is ready.

Football is a religion in the South. Want to leave the house? Catch all the games at your favorite local bar.

In his starting debut, rookie Michael Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards and one interception, bringing the Atlanta Falcons’ record to 8-7 with two games remaining.

The Falcons are playing out their final games with rookie Penix under center. Can the young star keep the Falcons within reach of the NFC South? Can Bijan Robinson find enough holes against a stout run defense? And can about Kyle Pitts return to his old self? It’s getting too late to find out.

How Is the Falcons 2024 Season Going?

Let’s take a look at the Falcons’ 2024 opponents:

The offense will go as far as the arm of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. In the wings, and over his shoulder, will be rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who the Falcons drafted in the first round.

“Kirk is trying to win a Super Bowl,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “Kirk is in full-blow preparation mode to set the Atlanta Falcons up for the best success that they could possibly have.”

Said wide receiver Drake London: “He’s an all-around pro. He does everything right — off the field, on the field.”

For his part, Penix has made it clear that he just wants to learn from one of the best.

“I’m super, super blessed to be able to right here in this position right now, obviously with a veteran in front of me,” Penix said at rookie minicamp in Flowery Branch, Georgia. “Just learning from him and going about my business each and every day. Just trying to find ways to improve and get to where he is: multiple years in the league. That’s what I want.”

Week 1: Chicago Bears 18, Falcons 10

The Falcons offense looked listless on Sept. 8 against the Chicago Bears, losing 18-10 after committing three costly turnovers. Two of those were interceptions by Kirk Cousins. Even still, former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan says that you can’t judge a book by their first game.

Week 2: Philadelphia 21, Falcons 22

The Falcons escaped Philly with a one-point win in primetime, edging the Eagles 21-21 behind a last-minute drive engineered by Kirk Cousin.

Week 3: Kansas City 22, Falcons 17

The Falcons fell 22-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that was marred by several questionable calls by the officials.

Week 4: Saints 24, Falcons 26

The Atlanta special teams came up big as the Falcons defeated the Saints 26-24 in Mercedes Benz Stadium.

Week 5: Falcons 36, Tampa 30

The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Bucs 36-30 in overtime in a duel between Tampa’s Baker Mayfield and Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins.

Week 6: Atlanta 38, Carolina 20

Atlanta’s offense shined in its 38-20 win over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.

Week 7: Falcons 14, Seahawks 34

Kirk Cousin played his worst game as a Falcon, tossing two interceptions and a fumble against the Seattle Seahawks.

Week 8: Falcons 31, Bucs 26

The Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26 for the second time in three weeks as Kirk Cousins threw four touchdowns.

Week 9: Falcons 27, Cowboys 21

Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 19 of 24 passes for 222 yards as the Falcons used a ball control attack that kept the Cowboys offense off the field. At one point, Cousins completed 13 straight passes in throwing a 9-yard touchdown to Drake London, a 36-yarder to Darnell Mooney and an 11 yarder to Ray-Ray McCloud.

Read the 5 keys to victory over the Cowboys.

Falcons 17, Saints 20

New Orleans led by double-digits twice in the game, but the Falcons stormed back to make it a three-point game. Younghoe Koo failed to convert on three field goals, which allow New Orleans to hold onto the lead.

Denver 38, Falcons 6

In the worst outing of the season, the Falcons got walloped in Denver 38 to 6 by the Broncos. The normally reliable pass defense of the Falcons let Bo Nix complete 85% of his passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns. Cousins threw for 173 yards and an interception.

Chargers 17, Falcons 13

Kirk Cousins continued to regress, throwing four interceptions in a frustratingly winnable game at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The Falcons defense did not give up a touchdown. But at least “Madea” was there.

Falcons 21, Vikings 42

The Falcons defense gave us 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter as the Vikings pulled away on Sunday, Dec. 8 to send Atlanta to its fourth straight loss.

Falcons 15, Raiders 9

The Falcons beat the Raiders 15-9 in Las Vegas on Monday Night, but it didn’t look good. The Falcons had to bat down a hail mary in the closing seconds to secure the win. Days later, Atlanta would replace Cousins as the starting quarterback.

Falcons 31, Giants 7

Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards and one interception, though the pick wasn’t his doing. In the second quarter, he connected with tight end Kyle Pitts near the end zone, which was sure to be a touchdown, but Pitts bobbled the ball into the air, allowing Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott to make the interception.

Final Word

The Falcons have a good chance to win the NFC South, but it’s going to take effort from everyone.

When it comes to sports and exercise, you should always make time. That’s why AtlantaFi.com wants to help you with your journey. Check out how to make a home gym  for cheap and even lose pounds in a hurry.

Read More on Atlantafi.com’s Sports Page:

• 4 Workout Routines For Beginners
• How To Get A Bangin’ Body In No Time
• Weight Loss Transformation: Easy Steps To Follow

After witnessing the Atlanta Falcons offense struggle for multiple weeks, the organization has finally did what many fans concluded weeks ago: Rookie Michael Penix deserves to play. He’ll get his shot.

Atlanta Falcons (7-7) are making a change at quarterback, replacing Kirk Cousins with Michael Penix Jr. as the starter for Week 16, the team announced Tuesday night.

“After careful consideration, we’ve decided that Michael Penix will be our starting quarterback moving forward,” head coach Raheem Morris said in a statement. “This decision is purely a football one, and our focus now is on preparing for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”

The news follows the Falcons’ numerous struggles over the past month, including Monday Night against a hapless Las Vegas Raiders team.

Morris being asked about the team’s quarterback situation earlier in the day, where he emphasized the need for improved play at the position.

While the Falcons secured a 15-9 victory over the Raiders on Monday Night Football, their offensive struggles and lack of production overshadowed the win, which ended a four-game losing streak. Atlanta failed to reach the red zone despite good field position on several drives, and the team’s overall offensive performance has been a concern for weeks.

The calls to replace Cousins had grown deafening over the past few weeks, even as stalwart fans and insiders like Matt Ryan continued to make excuses for him.

Cousins, who led the NFL in passing yards earlier in the season, has struggled significantly since late October. Over the past five games, he has thrown nine interceptions—part of a total of 16 for the season, which leads the league. In that same span, he has thrown just one touchdown pass, and the Falcons have won only once.

“We haven’t played well at quarterback, and that’s been a big part of our struggles,” Morris said Tuesday. “We didn’t play well there on Monday either. I want to be transparent about it. There will always be questions about the head coach and the quarterback position. We have to be better. It’s as simple as that. We need to play better if we want to win against the Giants.”

The Georgia Builldogs are ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff Rankings, which were released Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Aside from Georgia, the SEC has four other teams in the playoff.

An undefeated Oregon holding steady at No. 1, a position it has maintained throughout the initial year of the expanded 12-team field.

Georgia’s 2024 schedule, which was stacked with ranked teams, held the Athens squad get a good seeding.

As the last remaining undefeated team in the FBS, the Ducks are aiming for their second playoff appearance overall — their first since the four-team field was introduced after the 2014 season — heading into conference championship weekend.

Historically, seven of the 10 teams ranked No. 1 in the initial CFP Rankings during the four-team era have gone on to make the playoff, with Mississippi State (2014), Tennessee (2022), and Ohio State (2023) being the exceptions.

With eight additional spots available in the expanded field this season, Oregon sits in a strong position at 11-0 as the only undefeated team in the country.

Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Georgia round out the top five, with Georgia moving up to No. 5 after Ohio State’s loss to Michigan last Saturday, although the Buckeyes remain in the projected 12-team field.

The rankings have already upset college fanbases across the country, especially in South Carolina, which rode a six-game win streak until the schedule concluded.

ESPN commentator Booger McFarland remarked that the selection process was far from perfect.

“I think that’s gonna be a slippery slope as these playoffs continue to develop. … Miami is 10-2, Alabama is 9-3 … we better be careful as far as that’s concerned when these strength of schedules are imbalanced,” he said.

In the race for the final playoff spots among the three-loss SEC teams and Miami, Alabama currently holds the top spot, ahead of the Hurricanes, Ole Miss, and South Carolina.

The Atlanta Braves have been a perennial powerhouse in the National League East. Can they continue? And here’s a better question: Do you want to watch Braves games?

In this article, we’ll show you how to watch and stream the Braves game on your TV or device. Now the good news is that you can watch the Braves game for free.

How To Watch The Atlanta Braves For Free

You can watch the Braves game today or any other day, sign up for FuboTV and watch for free.

What TV Network Broadcasts Braves Games in the Postseason?

Depending on the game, the Braves may be found exclusively on the Bally Sports South or Bally Sports Southeast regional networks. Bally Sports telecasts will be anchored by Braves LIVE, the network’s flagship pregame and postgame show, according to Major League Baseball.

Prediction: Braves vs. Padres

The Braves are dealing with a string of injuries, making their situation even tougher. Along with Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Spencer Strider being sidelined with season-ending injuries, they’re now also missing Chris Sale. The 35-year-old left-hander, who is still in contention for his first Cy Young award, hasn’t pitched since September 19. Despite plans for him to make just one start in the final week of the season instead of two, Sale was scratched from his scheduled appearance in the crucial second game of Monday’s doubleheader due to back spasms. Manager Brian Snitker stated after the game that he doesn’t expect Sale to be available for the Wild Card Series, noting that back issues have plagued him throughout the season. However, team president Alex Anthopoulos confirmed earlier that Sale wouldn’t be placed on the injured list.

What Is the Braves Pitching Rotation Right Now?

The Braves’ pitching rotation of now is:

• Chris Sale
• Max Fried
• Charlie Morton
• Renaldo Lopez

How Will the Braves Do This Year?

Having proven themselves as a perennial power, the Braves are once again expected to challenge for the pennant.

“There should be no acceptance of anything less than winning a World Series in this organization,” Braves Opening Day starter Spencer Strider told MLB.com. “I’m biased, but this is the most talented team in baseball. We need to set our bar as high as possible. Anything less than that is an underachievement for us.”

Here’s a breakdown of how some of the major parts of the team are expected to fare this year.

Pitching

After last season, the Braves knew they had to upgrade their bullpen if they were going to be taken seriously in October. Namely, Max Fried and Kyle Wright were still green.

This lack of depth resulted in the team ranking 17th in the majors in ERA, despite having 16 different starting pitchers. However, the top 3 starters managed to keep the team afloat, leading to the Braves ranking 9th in fWAR for starting pitchers.

To bolster their rotation, the Braves made a bold move, trading Vaughn Grissom to the Boston Red Sox for Chris Sale. Sale, a dominant force in the 2010s, is known for his high strikeout rates and has finished in the top 5 in Cy Young voting 6 times. Despite struggling with injuries since joining the Red Sox, Sale showed promise in 2023, making 20 starts and posting a 4.30 ERA with 125 strikeouts in 102.2 innings. His postseason experience and big-game mentality could be valuable additions to the Braves’ rotation.

Spencer Strider will be the Opening Day starter, coming off a season where he recorded 20 wins and 281 strikeouts in 186.2 innings, despite his ERA being inflated due to soft contact and poor defense. With his impressive arsenal of pitches, including a newly refined curveball, Strider is projected to be one of the top pitchers in the league in 2024, with an ERA in the low 3s and WAR totals in the top 5.

Max Fried, a stalwart in the Braves’ rotation, will likely take the 2nd spot. Fried went 8-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 2023 but was limited to 77.2 innings due to injuries. In his last year under contract with Atlanta, Fried will look to have a healthy campaign and maintain his low ERA, pitching around 185 innings and aiming for a top-10 pitcher ranking.

Charlie Morton, at 40 years old, will occupy the 3rd spot. In 2023, Morton had an inconsistent season but still managed a 3.64 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 163.1 innings, showcasing his reliable curveball. He is projected to be an excellent starter in 2024 and will provide stability in the rotation.

Chris Sale is expected to be the 4th starter, assuming he stays healthy and continues his high strikeout rates. Sale’s presence could add significant value to the Braves’ rotation.

The 5th spot is up for debate, with Reynaldo López, a free agent signed from the Cleveland Guardians, currently favored. The Braves also have several other options, including Bryce Elder, AJ Smith Shawver, Huascar Ynoa, Ian Anderson, and Dylan Dodd, who have all shown potential at the major league level.

Braves Infield Outlook

The Atlanta infield boasts a formidable lineup, starting with Matt Olson at first base. Olson, the MLB home run king, achieved a .993 OPS, 54 HRs, and 139 RBIs in his second season with the A’s. In 2024, he is projected to have a top 3 season in terms of WAR among first basemen, competing with hall of famers Freddie Freeman and Bryce Harper. Olson is expected to maintain a high level of performance, projecting around a 4.5 WAR, 40+ HRs, and well over 100 RBIs, putting him in contention for the home run crown once again.

Moving to second base, Ozzie Albies had a standout 2023 season, leading all second basemen in home runs (33) and RBIs (109) while ranking in the top 5 in most other stats. Projected to hit around 30 HRs and 100 RBIs again in 2024, Albies is considered one of the best 2B in the sport.

At third base, Austin Riley is a rising star, having achieved three straight 30 HR seasons by 2023. With 37 HRs, 97 RBIs, and a .861 OPS in 2023, Riley looks poised to become one of the best at the hot corner. Projections for 2024 place him in the high 4s in WAR, nearly 40 HRs, and 110 RBIs.

Completing the infield at shortstop is Orlando Arcia, who, while considered the weakest link in the Atlanta infield, is still a solid player. Arcia was 88th percentile in range and had some highlight fielding moments, along with a .741 OPS, 17 HRs, and 65 RBIs in 2023. Projections for 2024 suggest he will be a league-average hitter and fielder, but having a league-average player as the weakest hitter on the team speaks to the strength of Atlanta’s lineup.

Braves Outfield

Atlanta’s outfield is a mixed bag of strengths and potential weaknesses for 2024. Left field was a concern in 2023, with players like Eddie Rosario, Kevin Pillar, and Forest Wall rotating through, contributing about 1.4 fWAR. To bolster this position, the Braves traded for Jarred Kelenic, a former top prospect who struggled in his early career but showed promise in 2023 with 11 home runs and a .746 OPS. Despite a rough start in spring training, the Braves also brought back Adam Duvall to platoon in left. Duvall, a fan favorite, had a stellar 2021 season, including 38 home runs, 113 RBIs, and a Gold Glove.

In center field, 23-year-old Michael Harris II, the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year, had a slow start in 2023 but finished strong, posting a .878 OPS in the second half and ranking 7th in fWAR among center fielders despite missing 24 games due to injuries. He is projected to be one of the best in the sport in 2024, with expectations of hitting over 20 home runs and providing elite defense, potentially surpassing players like Mike Trout and Luis Robert Jr.

What is the Braves Starting Lineup?

• Catcher (2): Sean Murphy and Travis d’Arnaud
• First baseman (1): Matt Olson
• Second baseman (1): Ozzie Albies
• Shortstop (1): Orlando Arcia
• Third baseman (1): Austin Riley
• Outfielders (4): Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Jarred Kelenic, Adam Duvall
• DH (1): Marcell Ozuna
• Bench/Utility (2): Luis Guillorme, Forrest Wall

Starting Pitchers (5): LHP Max Fried, RHP Spencer Strider, RHP Charlie Morton, LHP Chris Sale, RHP Reynaldo LópezRelief Pitchers (8): RHP Raisel Iglesias, LHP A.J. Minter, RHP Joe Jiménez, RHP Pierce Johnson, LHP Tyler Matzek, LHP Dylan Lee, LHP Aaron Bummer, RHP Jesse Chave

Who Did The Atlanta Braves Play on Opening Day?

The Atlanta Braves opened their home schedule with a win against the Philadelphia Phillies and have kept at it ever since. The loss of Ronald Acuña Jr. is a major one for the Braves, but not one that can’t be overcome.

Final Word

The Braves have been surging through the 2023 campaign and deservingly so, the team has nothing short of title hopes. To no one’s surprise, a large part of the season hinges on the healthy arm of pitcher Ronald Acuña and the bullpen.

The Braves are just one of many Atlanta teams that you can support. The Falcons and Hawks could really appreciate your help.

The Atlanta Falcons came away with a 22-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

The thrilling victory had to be satisfying for quarterback Kirk Cousins, who engineered his 10th career game-winning drive.

Here are four takeaways the Falcons can be proud of.

The Falcons Running Game Is For Real

Bijan Robinson ran for 97 yards and Atlanta’s run game had 152 yards on 28 attempts. Tyler Allgeier had some big runs on his five Carrie’s for 58 yards and the Falcons were able to run up the middle as well as on the ends. That bodes well for ball control.

Kirk Cousins Can Handle Big-Game Pressure

Quarterback Kirk Cousins showed the naysayers why the Falcons paid a 36-year-old over a $100,000 contract with that last drive.

“He went out and played important in the biggest moments in the biggest times,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “Those are things you want to have happen when you have a chance to go out there and get wins. It was great to see today with Kirk Cousins.”

Even former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had high praise.

The Falcons Secondary Can Cover

Atlanta played a lot of zone against the Eagles’ speedy receivers, which allowed safety Jessie Bates to roam freely.

Although the Falcons gave up some big plays to the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts when he ran, he only managed 183 yards passing. That’s a lockdown when you have a receiver like DeVonta Smith (76 yards).

Can They Contain Patrick Mahomes?

Hurts is a dual-threat with his legs and arm, but the Falcons’ next opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs, will be the ultimate test.

Hurts finished with 85 yards on the ground on 13 Carries. Mahomes is a more instinctual runner with even more big-play ability. Can the Falcons stop him? We’ll see.

The Falcons schedule gets tougher now, but Morris seems to have his Dirty Birds ready to play.